The City of Decatur is hosting Neighborhood Cleanup Days on Saturdays starting in March through June, to allow residents to dispose of bulky materials that would not normally be placed in Pay-As-You-Throw bags. Every street in the City has been assigned to one Saturday. Please see the instructions below, along with the date specified for each street. There has been a change from the previous year’s schedule. For collection times and acceptable items:

Senate Bill 89 which allows for the annexation of the former United Methodist Children’s Home property (Legacy Park) and several connector properties on Derrydown passed during the 2019 legislative session and is awaiting the Governor’s signature. Thanks to Senator Elena Parent for sponsoring the bill and to DeKalb Delegation Chair Representative Karla Drenner and Representatives Mary Margaret Oliver, Renitta Shannon and Becky Evans for supporting our efforts for this annexation. You can find a copy of the bill here:

As you probably know, we said goodbye to City Manager, Peggy Merriss, at the end of 2018, but Decatur will remain in very capable hands. The Decatur City Commission has selected Assistant City Manager, Andrea Arnold, as our new City Manager.Andrea is a resident of the City of Decatur and has served as an Assistant City Manager since 2004. Following a nationwide search facilitated by an executive search firm, Andrea was our unanimous selection. Read more:

“We believe Andrea has the leadership skills, wealth of experience and professional demeanor we are seeking to lead our municipal organization into the future and to work effectively with our elected body. Andrea has a deep knowledge of Decatur and can hit the ground running as we move forward with our 2020 Strategic Planning process, economic development projects and goals and as we work with our key local partners and County and State representatives. We were impressed with her strong desire to really listen to our residents and work with us as we chart our future,” said Mayor Patti Garrett.

Ms. Arnold began working with the City in November 1997. She came to Decatur from the Atlanta Regional Commission. Ms. Arnold is a key member of the management team with responsibilities for leading the City’s internal operations, including the budget process and has oversight responsibilities for Municipal Court and the Fire Department. She is a critical leader in technology, innovation and in ensuring the City of Decatur residents and businesses receive excellent customer service.

“I am very proud and excited that Andrea will have the opportunity to be the next City Manager. She has strong organizational and community ties as well as connections on a statewide and national level,” said current City Manager Peggy Merriss, “she is the type of leader whose integrity and ethics are unquestionable and she has both the ability to pay attention to details while seeing the big picture.”

“I am thrilled for the opportunity to continue to serve our community and I am humbled by the City Commission’s trust in my ability to lead our organization. I am also looking forward to strengthening existing community relationships and building new ones in my role as City Manager. Most importantly, Peggy Merriss leaves behind a legacy rooted in democracy, integrity and ethics that I intend to build upon,” said Andrea Arnold.

Ms. Arnold has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science/Urban Studies from Furman University and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Georgia. She is a Credentialed Manager with the International City and County Management Association and is active in numerous professional associations. She also served on the Decatur Education Foundation Board, is a graduate of Leadership DeKalb and a 2018 graduate of the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Regional Leadership Institute.

No matter what holiday you observe, this is the perfect way to celebrate the season. Season of Giving provides holiday gifts for low-income children and seniors and volunteer opportunities are available for working in the office, gift organization, and interviewing during application sessions. For more information, contact Lee Ann Harvey at leeann.harvey@decaturga.com

Nominate that special friend or neighbor who often works behind the scenes to make our community a better place.Nomination forms are available at decaturga.com/about/community-spirit/hometownheroes or at City Hall. Submit to Lee Ann Harvey at leeann.harvey@decaturga.comby September 30.

Decatur Manager Peggy Merriss, who helped direct and develop the city for the last 25 years will be retiring effective December 31. We have all reaped the benefits of Peggy’s visionary leadership, her ability to think creatively and her passion for developing a strong management team. She is an innovative thought leader, a model of integrity, and has a unique ability to help the city pursue vibrant community engagement and healthy infrastructure while maintaining strong, conservative fiscal management for the City. The City Commission has hired an executive search firm and plans to appoint a new manager by the end of 2018.

City Hall remains closed to the public.

Due to the Public Health State of Emergency, the City Commission Meeting for Monday, May 4, 2020, 7:30 pm will be held remotely.

Access Instructions

There will not be a physical location for members of the public to attend. Members of the public may access the meeting in one of two ways: